Can the UPSC exam be cracked without taking coaching classes? If yes, how? And what books should be followed for the General Studies?

Question

I am looking for a practical answer to this UPSC question: Can the UPSC exam be cracked without taking coaching classes? If yes, how? And what books should be followed for the General Studies?

I am trying to avoid collecting too many resources, so please suggest only the books or material that genuinely helped. It would also help if you mention how to revise them effectively.

Tanisha Mathai · Answer

Coaching can help with structure, but it is not a guarantee of progress. Plenty of students do well without it once they have a clear plan and the discipline to follow it.

That is usually where preparation starts feeling more manageable.

Harsh Paswan · Answer

I would decide based on what exactly you need:
- a roadmap
- answer feedback
- accountability
- optional guidance
- or just a test series
That makes the decision much more practical.

That small shift alone can save a lot of time.

Sanjana Samaddar · Answer

A lot of people join coaching because they are anxious, not because they have clearly identified the gap in their preparation. That often leads to passive note collection instead of real improvement.

Most people improve once that part becomes clear.

Deepika Syed · Answer

If you are already able to read standard books, revise on time, and analyse PYQs, full coaching may not add enough value for the cost.

Can the UPSC exam be cracked without taking coaching classes? If yes, how? And what books should be followed for the General Studies?

4 Answers